Jenni: "I’ve had another flavor (Dauphine Walnuts) and liked that better. … "It says ‘tickled with date’ (on the bag), but I didn’t get any dates. And I wish there were more apples. I really like the apples."

Danielle: "I don’t think it’s that spicy. I just get a hint of the heat. I would almost want it to be spicier if they’re going to say there’s cayenne in it." … "I like it — a lot."

Ryan: "The mix is so sticky it’s kind of clumped together in the bag. But I guess if you’re out hiking, it doesn’t matter if your hands get messy." … "It tastes more sweet, but there’s kind of a cayenne aftertaste."

Steve: "I like it. It’s crunchy and there’s a sweet-and-sour thing going on there." … "I’m ready to start hiking right now." … "I like the texture. It’s sticky and crunchy and sticks together a little bit."

Doritos: Sweet Chili flavor

Product description: Doritos used to come in original and Cool Ranch varieties. Now the snack section includes long rows of Doritos options, including this new one sold in an eye-catching purple bag.

Nutrition: A 1-ounce serving has 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 11 percent of the daily allowance for fat and sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber.

Price: $3.79 for a 12½-ounce bag

Comments:

Jenni: "You see flames on the package and you think it’s going to be really spicy." … "Most Doritos are addictive, and these are not."

Danielle: "Too salty." … "I could do without them. I don’t like it when brands try to reinvent themselves constantly. You end up with things that are so far off from the original. I probably wouldn’t buy these." … "I’m getting the sweet part now, and it’s not really working for me."

Ryan: "I like my spicy food to be really spicy, so these are a little tame. But they do have a tangy taste that is a little different from other types of Doritos. These are pretty good." … "Most Doritos have kind of a sharp cheese taste, and these do seem sweeter than that."

Steve: "I’m looking for dip with this." … "I’d change it to ‘salty sweet.’ I’m having a hard time eating these. It seems like too much."

Funky Monkey Snacks: Purple Funk flavor

Product description: Produced in Brazil, these snacks are billed as "Fruit That Crunches!" It is available locally online at www.amazon.com. According to Funky Monkey, the company’s freeze-drying process eliminates about 97 percent of a fruit’s moisture. It is billed as a product with no added sugar, preservatives, colors or flavors, and it also is gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and certified kosher. Purple Funk is made of bananas and acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE), a berry touted as a source of antioxidants, amino acids, omegas, fibers and protein.

Nutrition: A 1-ounce bag has 120 calories, 1 gram of fat, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 19 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein. It also includes 10 percent of daily potassium needs.

Price: $1.99 for a 1-ounce bag

Comments:

Jenni: "I would like to see what acai looks like in its natural form. You can’t tell from these. What did they do to the fruit before they blasted it onto the banana chips?" … "The texture is so overwhelming that the taste is secondary." … "I don’t know that kids would like them, because they looked kind of scary when they came out of the bag. I think my 4-year-old would say these are rotten. But personally, I like them. There was something fresh-tasting about them."

Danielle: "They have the consistency of rice cakes. They’re airy." … "I feel like it’s all gimmick, with the packaging and everything. Without the packaging and the cute name, it doesn’t seem like anything special."

Ryan: "I thought there would be pieces of banana and acai, but I guess they somehow freeze-dried them together into each piece. That’s unexpected." … "The texture is bizarre. The taste isn’t bad." … "I felt like I was eating some kind of puffy cereal."

Steve: "I like the texture. I’ve had banana chips that are kind of chewy, whereas these as kind of crunchy." … "Why wouldn’t you just have a banana? Is it a convenience thing?" … "I like them, but I don’t know about the other fruit, the acai. It just doesn’t register. I don’t know what that is, and this just tastes like bananas to me. If there’s a subtle thing there, I didn’t catch it."

YOGOS Bits: Crazy Berries flavor

Product description: Advertised as "yogurty covered fruit flavored bits" now containing "Bigger Flavor!" With six small packets, this is an easy-to-pack snack that is a little healthier than candy. The Crazy Berries variety is pea-sized in a variety of bright colors. Bits are coated with nonfat yogurt powder.

Jenni: "These are super-sweet." … "They’ve got a little crunch when you bite through the shell, and then they’re nice and chewy." … "All the colors taste the same. I couldn’t tell the difference between a raspberry or a blueberry." … "These are a pain in the butt if they get in your couch cushions." … "As long as you’re not fooled into thinking these are really healthy, it’s probably better than giving your kids candy."

Danielle: "I like the colors." … "They’re a good snack. Basically, if you were going to give your kid candy I would want to give them this instead — but not instead of fruit."

Ryan: "They’re fun to throw in the air and catch in your mouth." … "This is probably too sweet and sugary for an adult to appreciate."

Steve: "They’re too sweet. I would love it if they were sour. I like the consistency." … "Yogurt is involved, but it seems pretty minor." … "This is all right, but I’m not a kid. I could see kids liking it as a snack. It’s too bad they have to go so high on the sugar scale." … "It seems a little too frivolous for my taste."

Peoria Journal Star

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.